Someone12132

Hello everyone,
Recently I bought a new exhaust system and decided to try and install it this weekend. However, I ran into a big problem. I somehow stripped one of the exhaust nuts despite using a 14mm, 6-point socket along with spraying a bunch of PB Blaster to make it easier to break open.

My first line of defense when attacking this stripped nut was using a stripped nut remover and hammering it in. However, this just made it worse and stripped it even more despite it initially gripping well.

I later went on to try and use vise-grips. This did absolutely nothing.

Lastly, I tried using a nut splitter, but I destroyed the tool itself.

Right now, I'm thinking the best option to remove this nut would be to drill out the stud from the other side. I don't really care about keeping the stud as I plan on replacing it. However, before I do this, is there something else I should try? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

icer5160

iTrader: (4)

Do you have access to a torch? Getting some heat on it is the best option. Needs to get cherry red. If soaking in penetrant and using a socket doesn't crack it, then a torch is the next best option. Guys in the rust belt usually just go straight to the torch as standard procedure.

What I've done in the past when I didn't have access to a blow torch, was use a dremel with a cut off wheel and slice through the nut about 90%. Then using a chisel and a 4lb sledge, give it a good whack to crack the nut.
Note: Using a dremel with a cut off wheel does risk damaging the stud, but if you plan to replace it anyway, it doesn't matter. In my case, I nipped the threads a bit, but after running a thread chaser over the stud, it was still perfectly use-able.

Good Luck!
-Icer

Someone12132

I did not have access to a torch. However, the Dremel technique did work and I was able to finally get the bolt off! Thanks a lot for the info!

icer5160

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for the follow-up! Glad it worked out!
Cheers!
-Icer